Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, whose district in Florida includes the large child detention facility in Homestead, said Friday she can't believe there is a debate in the United States about it being okay to "imprison children."

"I have been advocating for the closure of this detention facility in Homestead, which was run by a for-profit company," the Florida Democrat told CNN's "New Day," pointing out that former White House Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly is on the facility's board.

"This administration was paying close to $2 million to run the Homestead detention facility," said Mucarsel-Powell.

She added that the government plans to open detention facilities nationwide in rural areas, where it would be difficult for immigration attorneys to meet their clients, and called for taking other approaches, such as monitoring devices.

"This is, again, an attack on immigrant communities," said Mucarsel-Powell, who came to the United States from Ecuador. "I represent an area which has half of the people that live in my district, came from a different country. Like you mentioned, I'm an immigrant. I came from a different country. We come here to work, to contribute. We are doctors, nurses, and yes we are also Congress members. And the continued attacks on immigrants and also violating a court ruling is very worrisome."

Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, whose district in Florida includes the large child detention facility in Homestead, said Friday she can't believe there is a debate in the United States about it being okay to "imprison children."